The Last Green Patch - Character response (Grade 8)

What news does Kenneth show Reese on his phone?

• A notice that the garden's rent is increasing.

• A proposal to build a superstore on the garden's land.

• An alert about a pest infestation in the area.

• A message that Mrs. Lilian is moving away.

Answer explanation

The passage states, 'He showed her the screen. It was a community alert about a development proposal. “They’re planning to build a superstore. Right here.”'

What does Reese's line, 'This garden employs us in a different way! It connects us,' reveal about her values?

• She believes the garden should pay people for their work.

• She thinks financial success is the most important goal.

• She values community connection and emotional well-being over money.

• She wants to start a business selling vegetables from the garden.

Answer explanation

Reese's dialogue contrasts the idea of 'jobs' with the garden's ability to 'connect' people, showing she prioritizes the social and emotional harmony it creates over financial gain.

Why does Reese mention Mrs. Lilian and the school kids in her dialogue with Kenneth?

• To prove that she knows more people in the neighborhood than he does.

• To show that the garden is only useful for old people and children.

• To remind Kenneth of specific people who will be negatively affected by the destruction of the garden.

• To suggest that Mrs. Lilian and the school kids should lead the fight against the superstore.

Answer explanation

By mentioning Mrs. Lilian and the school kids, Reese is trying to make the consequences of the garden's destruction personal and concrete, highlighting the human impact beyond a simple property sale.

At the end of the passage, what is Reese's final decision after her conversation with Kenneth?

• To fight to protect the garden.

• To agree with Kenneth that it's a losing battle.

• To ask her parents for advice.

• To move the plants to a new location.

Answer explanation

The passage ends with Reese's firm declaration, 'But I’m not letting them destroy this without a fight.' This shows the conversation provoked her to make a decision to act.

What does Kenneth's dialogue, 'Harmony doesn’t pay the bills, Reese,' show about his motivation for not fighting the development?

• He is angry at the garden for not making money.

• He feels that practical concerns like money are more important than community feelings.

• He thinks Reese is not working hard enough in the garden.

• He believes harmony is impossible to achieve in their neighborhood.

Answer explanation

This line directly contrasts Reese's ideal of 'harmony' with the practical reality of 'bills,' revealing that his perspective is driven by financial and pragmatic considerations.

Categorize the following character arguments from the passage based on the primary value they represent.

Groups:

(a) Represents Harmony

,

(b) Represents Destruction/Pragmatism

• It connects us.

• School kids planted the butterfly patch.

• It's the only real green space.

• You can't fight progress.

• It will bring more jobs.

• It's a losing battle.

Answer explanation

The items in 'Represents Harmony' all relate to the community, nature, and connection that the garden provides. The items in 'Represents Destruction/Pragmatism' relate to the practical, financial, and resigned arguments for letting the garden be destroyed.

Match each character's line of dialogue to the feeling or motivation it primarily reveals.

• Justifying a position by citing an authority figure

• “But I’m not letting them destroy this without a fight.”

• A shift from shock to firm determination

• “What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

• Frustration with idealism over practicality

• “My dad says it will bring more jobs to the neighborhood.”

• Initial concern for a friend's well-being

• “Harmony doesn’t pay the bills, Reese.”

Answer explanation

Reese's first line shows her concern for Kenneth. Kenneth's line about his dad shows he is influenced by his father's opinion. His line about bills reveals his frustration with what he sees as Reese's impractical view. Reese's final line shows her decision to take action, revealing her new determination.

Based on how Reese responds to Kenneth in the passage, how might her communication strategies be used to convince a group of neighbors to join her fight to save the garden? Explain using specific details from her dialogue.

Answer explanation